From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tribadism or tribbing also known by the slang term scissoring is a form of mutual masturbation in which a woman rubs her vulva against her partner's body for sexual stimulation.[1][2] The term is most often used in the context of lesbian sex, but is not exclusive to lesbians. Tribadism can also refer to a masturbation technique in which a woman rubs her vulva against an inanimate object such as a bolster, in an effort to achieve orgasm.
[edit] History
Until the 20th century, the term was used to refer to lesbian sexual practices in general. Therefore, lesbians were occasionally called tribades.[3]
[edit] Tribadism among bonobo females
This position is not exclusive to humans. Females of the bonobo species, found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also engage in female-female genital sex, usually known as GG rubbing (genito-genital).[4]
[edit] Health risks
The transference of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is high in the act of 'scissoring'. Thus caution should be taken to avoid the transaction of these infections.
[edit] Tribadism in popular culture
- The glam pop band Scissor Sisters derive their name from the scissoring position.[5]
- Bands named after tribadism include Scissorfight and the lesbian punk band Tribe 8.[6]
- Genital-genital tribadism was depicted three times during the "D-Yikes!" episode of the cartoon South Park, referred to in that episode as "scissoring".
- Australian band Rocksteady pay homage to tribadism with their song "Scissoring".
[edit] References
- ^ Cathy Winks and Anne Semans (2002). The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex, Third Edition, Cleis Press. ISBN 1573441589.
- ^ Lesbian Sex Question: Tribadism, accessed 18 December 2006.
- ^ Martha Nussbaum and Juha Sihvola, The Sleep of Reason: Erotic Experience and Sexual Ethics in Ancient Greece and Rome, University of Chicago Press, 2002.
- ^ de Waal, Frans B. M. (March 1995). "Bonobo Sex and Society". Retrieved on 2008-03-05. "Perhaps the bonobo's most typical sexual pattern, undocumented in any other primate, is genito-genital rubbing (or GG rubbing) between adult females. One female facing another clings with arms and legs to a partner that, standing on both hands and feet, lifts her off the ground." Reprint from Scientific American, March 1995, pp. 82–88.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (January 7, 2005), "Scissor Sisters: On the Cutting Edge", Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53256-2005Jan6.html, retrieved on 17 September 2008
- ^ "Rise Above: The Tribe 8 Documentary", San Francisco Bay Guardian, 2006-07-12, http://www.sfbayguardian.com/entry.php?catid=4&entry_id=1108, retrieved on 2007-09-21
